Services set for Marine who died in motorcycle crash

Visitation and funeral services are scheduled Monday at a Grayslake church for a Marine who died while riding her motorcycle in a scenic mountain area near San Diego.

Cpl. Marleea Anne Gerfen lost control of her 2009 Yamaha motorcycle about 3:35 p.m. Sept. 13 while on a two-lane road in the Cuyamaca Mountains about 50 miles east of San Diego, said California Highway Patrol spokesman Brian Pennings. He said Gerfen, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"It's a beautiful mountain road," Pennings said.

Gerfen was traveling about 30 mph south on State Route 79 in San Diego County when she tried to negotiate a sharp left turn, Pennings said. He said the speed limit is 55 mph on the highway, but drops to 20 mph in the area where the sharp left turn is required.

Pennings said Gerfen did not handle the turn and her bike wound up scraping against the pavement and continued off the west side of the highway. Pennings said Gerfen then hit a dirt embankment.

He said Gerfen died from blunt force trauma and that there was no evidence of drug or alcohol use before the crash.

Gerfen was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, Calif., near San Diego. She was an aircraft mechanic assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, according to military officials.

Officials said Gerfen's personal decorations included the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Visitation for Gerfen is set from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at Crossroads Church, 1350 Route 137 in Grayslake. A funeral service with full military honors will follow at 6 p.m. at the church.

Born in Germany, Gerfen moved to Lindenhurst in 1999. She attended Millburn Grade School and graduated from Antioch High School in 2005, where she was a cheerleader.

Gerfen, who joined the Marine Corps in 2005, was a member of Crossroads Church in Grayslake and Rock Church of San Diego. Survivors include her husband, Brandon Gerfen; a son, Roman Michael; and her parents, Roger and Marsha Bell of Lindenhurst.